For The Love of An Alpha

Trailing Through

It would be well into the moon's night ride when Jhera would return to the large home. The family room had settled down and the bustling around the house was quiet. With a quick peak into the dining room, she saw Erick sitting at the table. His eyes mulling over the meal on his plate, another plate of food beside him. His blond hair hung in curls about his brow and his blue eyes lifted to regard Jhera.

"Hungry?" He asked, pointing to the second plate.

"I could eat." She shrugged, coming in to sit beside him.

As she settled in before the plate of food, her mouth began to water. The familiar smell of rabbit wafting to her senses. A large portion of pork chop was on her plate, a small serving of green beans and a hefty serving of mashed potatoes. The gravy that smothered the smashed tubers had a sweet smell to it. Jhera took a large scoop on her fork and savored the flavors. A small moan left her lips, the taste of the rabbit she had caught earlier giving rise to her senses. The sensation from the hunt earlier coming to her mind and she caught the shift in her breathing. A small glance to her dinner companion with a smile, and they were back to eating their meals.

They continued their meal slowly and in silence, a strange tension rising in the air.

"I really hope you are as good as you say you are." He said it calmly, the tender sounds of sleep on his voice.

"I hope so to." She moved the remaining potatoes about her plate and looked to him. "A warlock that curses is more then anyone should have to deal with, especially alone."

"That's why I'm going with you." He said bluntly, "Along with William and two other's from other packs." He met her gaze, "This war is too big to be fought alone."

Jhera rose from her seat, her hand resting on his shoulder. "It will be a pleasure to fight beside you." She squeezed his shoulder and almost flinched when his hand gripped over hers.

"It will be a pleasure to fight alongside you." His voice was soft and husky as his sleepy eyes met hers. Slowly she removed her hand from his, nodded a goodnight and left for her room. Morning would come quickly and she needed a clear head for what was to come.

She wasn't wrong that morning would dawn before she was ready. Her brain was still muddled with sleep when a pounding came to her door. Rolling from the firm mattress, she trekked to the door. Chilam stood in the hallway, a bundle in her arms. Her black hair settling waves about her shoulders and chest.

"I figured you could use these." Her firm arms held out the bundle for Jhera to receive it. "Some clothes and such, as well as a coat and pair of boots." She bit her lip nervously as Jhera grasped the bundle.

"Thank you." Her slow nod to the Luna showed that she had still been asleep.

"The others are already awake and preparing to gather in the great room." She offered the free information. "I had a hunch they didn't tell you." She gave a heavy sigh and Jhera stepped aside, offering her entrance to her room. Chilam accepted it and took a seat in a small chair beside the simple dresser.

Jhera shut the door. Flicking the switch just inside the room caused the lamps to flare to life, basking the room in a warm glow. She said nothing but moved with the bundle into the bathroom, living the door cracked. The white light from the bathroom casting a smell pathway to the crack in the door.

"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping." Chilam began, folding her hands in her lap, "I just felt there were things you should know about your travel companions." Chilam looked to the bathroom, but heard no response. Only the shuffling of Jhera's body filled the void between them. "Many were hoping to leave without you, so they didn't tell you." Her eyes looked to her hands, "Only two of them stood up to having a rogue travel with them, that was Erick and Eli."